Do Papillons make your heart flutter?

Papillons - beautiful and brilliant "butterfly" dogs

According to the Papillon Club of America, the Papillon is "one of the oldest purebred Toys. It appears in paintings in Italy as far back as the 15th century. In France the court ladies and royal children were frequently painted with a Toy Spaniel pet, as the breed was then known...The dropped ear variety is known as the PhalÃ¨ne (which is a French word pronounced "fah-LEN"), named for a moth that droops its wings, to distinguish it from the erect-eared modern variety-the Papillon or Butterfly dog.

"With its unusual ears, waving tail plume, and flowing coat, the Papillon is a standout. It possesses what has been termed "sensible glamour" because the owner does not have to become a slave to preserve its beauty. The Papillon has no doggy odor and its silky coat is not prone to matting. However, Papillons love to be clean and bathing is easy; they wash like an orlon sweater! They have no undercoat to shed out twice a year as with most long-haired breeds and the resilient coat texture sheds dirt and dry grass with the touch of a brush. The pet Papillon requires no trimming of the coat, although the bottoms and sides of the feet can be trimmed for a more tidy appearance.

"The Papillon Standard does not mention weight, but they should be height/weight proportional (typically weighing between 3 and 9 pounds). The delicate tinies can serve as exquisite companions for senior citizens, while the oversized ones with larger, stronger bones make delightful additions to active families with well-behaved children.

"The Papillon is generally outgoing and friendly, although how extroverted it will be with strangers varies with how it was raised. Both males and females make equally suitable pets, and of course, should always be neutered or spayed if not destined for the dog show ring. Papillons are generally very social with other animals, and make wonderful companions to other dogs--and cats too.

"Papillons are active, lively dogs, although generally not nervous or yappy. They might alert you when someone is at the door but should quiet down immediately when that person has been admitted as a friend. Most Papillons retain their puppy playfulness to some degree throughout their lives. They travel well (car-sickness is rare), and enjoy the attention they draw wherever they go."

Papillon resources

Papillon Club of AmericaThe Papillon Club of America's website. We hope you find lots of useful information about our delightful breed. The Papillon is a toy dog with a joyful disposition, and can be a wonderful addition to many households.

PCARTPapillon Club of America Rescue Trust. PCA Rescue Trust accepts purebred Papillons. Our job is to ensure that all members of our beloved breed are able to live out their lives in a stable, healthful and loving environment. Our volunteers agree to abi

A long-time favorite

Dogs resembling Papillons have been depicted in art dating back to the 1500s. Small, spaniel-type dogs have long been popular in Europe, one is even depicted in a famous portrait of France's Louis XIV.

Like many toy dogs, Papillons should be socialized in all kinds of locations and with all kinds of people from an early age. If small dogs are not properly socialized, they may become fearful, timid, and could become fear-aggressive. Teaching a small dog to be comfortable in many situations can head off the problem before it arises. Of course, care should be taken that the dog truly does have nothing to fear and is encouraged to explore the world safely.

Find other Pap people!

Papillon Meetup Groups - MeetupHelps groups of people with shared interests plan meetings and form offline clubs in local communities around the world about Papillon